NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A Newport News, Virginia, high school teacher has been placed on administrative leave after using a racial epithet while discussing the use of derogatory names.
Multiple media outlets report that Heritage High School teacher Lynne Pierce, who is white, was holding a classroom conversation during an Advanced Placement history class last week in which the students were discussing racism and derogatory terms.
Pierce says a student asked her why some people object to the Washington Redskins football team’s name. She responded by comparing the name to a hypothetical sports team’s name, using a racial slur that refers to blacks.
Pierce says a student complained and she was placed on leave by school administrators after the school day ended.
Newport News Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Price said in a statement that officials are investigating the matter.
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